Real Madrid defensive crisis worsens with Alaba also injured

Real Madrid have lost a third defender to injury within the same day, after announcing David Alaba has ruptured the meniscus in his left knee.

Earlier on Tuesday, Madrid confirmed centre-back Antonio Rudiger had undergone surgery for a similar meniscus issue.

That announcement came mere hours before Rudiger was given a six-match ban by the Spanish Football Association (RFEF) for throwing an object – reportedly an ice cube – at referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea during the latter stages of Madrid's Copa del Rey final loss to Barcelona.

Los Blancos also revealed left-back Ferland Mendy faces a spell on the sidelines with a thigh problem, having already suffered several injury setbacks throughout the season.

And Alaba has added to their defensive crisis, with Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao also long-term absentees for Carlo Ancelotti's men.

Spanish media reports said Alaba – like Rudiger and Mendy – should be fit to feature at the revamped Club World Cup, which begins in June.

However, Madrid could be without all three players for the rest of their domestic campaign, as they bid to overhaul Barcelona's four-point lead at the top of LaLiga.

Alaba started both legs of Real Madrid's Champions League quarter-final defeat to Arsenal but was an unused substitute for Saturday's Copa del Rey final, and he has been limited to just seven appearances throughout the 2024-25 campaign.

Madrid host Celta Vigo on Sunday, then visit Barcelona for a game that could decide the destination of the title one week later.